righteousness
gb/ɹˈaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/ us/ɹˈaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
B2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
property
1
moral rightness or virtue
The state of being good, fair, and doing what is right according to moral rules.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s righteousness
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'righteousness' with 'rightfulness'. 'Rightfulness' is rare and not commonly used in modern English.
Synonyms
virtue (Emphasizes moral excellence and goodness, sometimes broader than strict moral correctness.)
|
uprightness (Stresses honesty and adherence to moral principles.)
Antonyms
wickedness (Direct opposite, meaning evil or morally wrong behavior.)
|
corruption (Focuses on moral decay and dishonesty, especially in positions of power.)
Collocations
moral righteousness
|sense of righteousness
|claim to righteousness
|self-righteousness
Themes
ethics
|religion
|character
|society
|core_vocabulary
|emotions
Examples
- Her righteousness was evident in the way she treated everyone with fairness and respect.
- Many admire his righteousness in standing up for what he believes is just.
- The leader's image of righteousness was damaged by the scandal.
- Righteousness is often seen as a key virtue in many religions.
Learner examples
- She is known for her righteousness.
- He showed righteousness when he told the truth.
- Righteousness means being fair and good.
- People like leaders with righteousness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
righteousness
IPA
GB/ɹˈaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
US/ɹˈaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
Syllables & stress
right - eous - ness (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (right)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: righteousness
- Plural: righteousness
Word family
Core family
righteous
adjective B2
Related words
righteously
adverb
self-righteous
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unrighteous
adjective
Expressions
path of righteousness
1/pˈæθ əv ɹˈaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
fixed phrase
literary
a morally correct way of life
A way of living that follows moral or religious rules closely.
Examples
- The preacher urged the congregation to follow the path of righteousness.
- He believes his son has returned to the path of righteousness after years of trouble.
self-righteousness
1/sˈɛlf ɹˈaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
fixed phrase
belief in one's own moral superiority
Thinking you are better than other people because you believe your ideas and morals are right.
Examples
- His self-righteousness made it hard for him to listen to other opinions.
- She spoke with such self-righteousness that everyone felt uncomfortable.